Weather hampers Zespri shipping schedule

A shipment of kiwifruit bound for China being loaded onto the Asian Adonis at Port of Tauranga in March. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media

While recent heavy rain has caused some disruption to Zespri's planned harvest and shipping, industry efforts meant two ships were able to be loaded in week 12.

As a result, Zespri together with TKL, have been required to re-schedule loading windows to take advantage of weather breaks.

General manager Dave Courtney says every season has its issues, and while individual growers are affected, this is unlikely to have a significant impact on the overall season, especially given how early in the year it is.

But Dave adds growers and post-harvest have also been very proactive in taking advantage of breaks in the weather to maximise harvest and packing opportunities where possible.

“Charter shipments departures for this week have been delayed two to three days from originally planned.

“Although, with a lot of hard work charters planned for departure in ISO week 14 will depart in week 14/early hours of Monday week 15.”

Dave explains container shipment loading is much less impacted by the weather, and this has continued this week, with the only constraint being fruit availability.

The warmer weather and delay in maturity has also meant Zespri is yet to start harvesting and shipping Hayward and Sweet Green in any great volume, and the SunGold harvest has also been a little slower than originally planned.

“However every season has its issues and this is unlikely to have a significant impact on the overall season, especially given how early in the year it is.”